Synopsis
What’s your name, Beautiful?
Never mind. It doesn’t matter, and I won’t remember it, anyway.
I’m Tack Morgan, and I’m Las Vegas Magazine’s Sexiest Man. I’m the host of the most listened-to morning drive-time show on Vegas’s FM dial.
I’m also in therapy for sexual harassment.
My therapist is the one making me write this. The doc says it’ll help me put things into perspective.
To be clear, I don’t have sexual harassment issues. I have sexual frustration issues.
And it’s totally not my fault.
That responsibility rests squarely with the person I’m being accused of harassing. I see her each and every weekday morning at the ungodly hour of 6 a.m.
Funny. I used to think that was the best time of the whole day. I lived for starting my mornings so early, not seeing my bed until many, many hours later.
Unless it was for recreation.
At the risk of sounding cocky, I recreated a lot.
Sex is my sport of choice. Or at least it was, until Jen waltzed through the station door and announced she was my new morning-show co-host.
I swear, she’s developed some sort of pheromone-canceling ESP that follows me around everywhere and cockblocks me at every turn. I haven’t gotten laid in… too long.
Honestly, I haven’t been keeping track.
Actually, yes, I have.
It’s been two months.
Coincidentally, that’s exactly how long Jensen MacKenzie has been my co-host.
I don’t think my balls can get any bluer.
Reviews
Iva's Review
I have stalked Stevie Kisner's facebook page almost daily for the past six months, anxiously waiting for Waking Up in Vegas to be released. Stevie very graciously gave Kota's Book Kollection Blog an exclusive introduction to Tack during our Christmas giveaway and straight away I wanted more! So with that type of anticipation, finally getting to read Waking Up in Vegas was a little scary. I mean - what if it was total shit?
Early morning radio host Tack Morgan is a "shallow man-whore, only concerned about his job, magazine covers and his next one-nighter." That is until Jensen Mackenzie inserts herself into his life and has him wondering how the hell is he going to survive with her cramping his style and messing with his life.
Waking Up in Vegas is written entirely in Tack Morgan's perspective in what is a humourous and honest narration. Stevie Kisner has written a fantastic male character, walking a fine line between a complete arsehole and a regular male. Tack is very confident in himself and his sexual prowess and doesn't see how offensive he comes off to others. He is so open in his thought processes as he narrates the story that you can't help but admire him despite his flippant behaviour towards others.
Jensen Mackenzie is an enigma to Tack. She unknowingly manages to get beneath his skin despite his best efforts. Jensen doesn't act coy and also holds her own against Tack in a battle of wits. She doesn't offend easily, which is a major plus when dealing with Tack and is comfortable within her own skin and is refreshingly natural to both Tack and the reader. Stevie Kisner has written Jensen in a way that allows her to be as big a presence in the story as Tack, despite the reader only knowing her through Tack's observations.
The book is written almost like a journal in that Tack communicates with the reader. This gives the story so much more impact than a often used dual perspective would have had and highlights the talent of the author in bringing characters to life. It also gives the book a more humourous feel and allows Tack to be himself in a truly honest way.
What I truly loved about the story was how unique it felt. Stevie Kisner got Tack's character so right that you can love him in an exasperated way right from the beginning. The humour is so brillantly intertwined with the prose that you never stop smiling and sniggering at some of Tack's colourful descriptions of his reactions to Jensen. The plot is fantastic and Jensen is a female character you can admire and respect.
If there was one thing I hated about the story it was that there was a The End. I overcame this by starting the book again, and once again smiled the whole way through, enjoying it for different reasons the second time.
So now Stevie Kisner has a problem.
No longer will I be looking at her Facebook page once a day now that I have read Waking up in Vegas. Nah, now it will be twice daily or twelve times daily, and I'll be sending a friend request!!
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Kota's Review
Meet Tack Morgan… world class ladies man… I mean man whore, perennial bachelor and Las Vegas Radio DJ.
Meet Jensen Mackenzie, Tack’s new co-host and perennial pain in his arse!
Life is good for Tack, he gets laid… LOTS, and he has it all set up that he never dips twice. Women are his buffet.. and then karma must have gotten the shits, because his behaviour starts to catch up to him.
Jensen is new in town, she has her hands full trying to fit into to Tack’s morning show world and settle in Las Vegas.
So where do I start. I am far from as articulate as Ms Kisner, or Iva for that matter. But I loved this story. Tack, oh Tack – you made me laugh out loud, physically cringe and cheer for you from the sidelines. Jensen, you have such spunk. I love your wit, your ability to flirt with the best of them, your fierce independence and most of all your ability to stick it to Tack when he gets out of line.
Stevie Kisner, I love your style. Your storytelling is brilliant. Your ability to capture the heart and soul of your characters, and have them literally sitting next to you while you read, makes this story the perfect accompaniment.
Waking up in Vegas is a breath of fresh air. Tack is a flawed man, but he is not broken, he manages relationships in a particular way because it works for him. Not because he is traumatised from a past that haunts him, sure his past influences his choices, but he chooses how it defines him. He is also fully cognisant in choosing when he wants something else. Tack tells it like it is. He is hilarious, particularly when he is in blue balls hell! When he sets his sights on something, his journey to get there is real, funny, heartbreaking, compassionate and pure.
Jensen is a strong woman. She does not need to fix Tack. She is not broken, damaged, naïve, weak or any of the other traits depicted by our leading ladies. She is an awesome woman, who knows her mind. She can talk the talk and walk the walk. She is funny, sweet, determined and just the perfect companion to Tack in so many ways. She could so easily be your best friend.
Waking up in Vegas is from Tack’s perspective. The fact is, Tack says lots of things that make you roll your eyes. But when Tack tells you exactly what you are thinking while you roll your eyes you can't help but laugh. Its like this is Tack’s diary, and you, the reader play the part of dear diary.
Ms Kisner has found the perfect balance of humour, frustration, romance, hope and happy ever after to make this page turning story one you would happily read again and again.
So, those that have read many of my recent reviews have probably noticed I have been in a bit of a slump. Many stories, as perfect as they appear to be have not been tickling my fancy. But Waking up in Vegas had me reading with a permanent smile etched on my face. I was laughing out loud, and groaning “Oh Tack…. (and not in a sexual way trust me!) you didn’t…” I love this story. Ms Kisner has definitely earned a new fan here. And you should all follow her, harass her, and demand more of her work, she engages in a way that is different from most, and it is truly enjoyable watching her story unfold.
Buy the Book
About Stevie
I’ve been writing stuff for other people to see since I was just shy of five years old and read my cousin’s copy of ‘Charlotte’s Web.’ I wrote my glowing opinion (and a few study questions) all over the nice tan hardcover. *singing* I got to keep it, I got to keep it… (and I still have it. Somewhere.)
I’ll read anything. Books, magazines, cereal boxes, shampoo bottles, junk mail… and liner notes. Boy HOWDY on the liner notes! I’m a total rock music junkie, and collect old vinyl, ‘cause nothing can beat the intricate details you can see on a twelve-by-twelve album cover. But I don’t discriminate. You can’t pry my mp3 out of my hands most days.
When I’m not reading, I’m writing (both into the wee hours of the morning) and have an unfettered love affair with caffeine in all its magical forms.
I grew up in and around Cleveland, Ohio, spent most of a decade in Sacramento (and consider that home), and currently live in a suburb of Albuquerque, New Mexico with my husband and college-student son. By day, I peddle smut (Seriously, I do. I own an adult store/headshop) and screw around online. Facebook is a giant timesuck, and I love it there (StevieKisner), and you can also find separate (and still useless) ramblings on StevieKisner.com.
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